MODDING: blogs

Symbian announced two new OS technologies today at CTIA: Symbian SQL and an advanced Location Based
Services (LBS) architecture. The first will allow the use of much larger data sets by smartphone applications and the second will simplify the development of genuine location-sensitive apps and services. The full press release is below.

Astraware, arguably THE top name in PDA gaming, has finally started releasing titles for Symbian OS, with the simultaneous launch of “Boardgames” for both S60 3rd Edition and UIQ 3, supporting all the usual devices. The games include Chess, Reversi, Backgammon, Snakes and ladders, Nine Mens Morris and Checkers. Ewan’s been playing with an advance copy for a while and he’ll have a full review tomorrow, hopefully. See below for some screenshots and the full press release.

AMD today announced it is advancing application performance with stunning imagery through the introduction of the first commercially available 3D workstation graphics card with DisplayPort support. The ATI FireGL V7700 professional graphics accelerator provides superior rendering speed, 3D performance and color fidelity for Computer Aided Design (CAD), Digital Content Creation (DCC) and Medical Imaging professionals. ATI FireGL V7700 delivers the top-quality image quality needed to create photorealistic visualizations of real-world objects and environments like the design concept for a new aircraft or a home remodelby providing designers with The Ultimate Visual Experience.

The new ATI FireGL V7700 workstation graphics accelerator with DisplayPort support brings The Ultimate Visual Experience to life. The card features a 10-bit display engine that can produce more than one billion colors at any given time, delivering unprecedented image fidelity at a lower cost. Our customers are eager to adopt the latest standards like DisplayPort and PCI Express 2.0 that make their environments more productive while delivering next-generation display capabilities today, said Peter Chen, president, Exxact Corporation.

VIA Technologies today announced the VIA NAS 7800 board, specifically designed to meet the needs of thin server and NAS segment system builders. The VIA NAS 7800 is powered by a VIA C7 1.5 GHz processor with optional fanless VIA Eden-based skus available to project customers. Scalable storage needs are more than adequately met with the support for up to eight S-ATA II ports with 1.5Gbits/sec and 3Gbits/sec data transfer rates, and for Native Command Queuing. Network support includes Gigabit Ethernet ports and an optional integrated IEEE-802.11g VIA wireless module. The board can be seen below!

owered by a low heat, energy-efficient 1.5GHz VIA C7 processor, with an optional fanless VIA Eden sku, the VIA NAS 7800 board also features a proprietary MFX module for comprehensive wake-up scheduling, allowing IT managers to power servers down at nights or weekends for considerable savings on electricity usage. The VIA NAS 7800 uses a unique 19cm x 14.3cm form factor, same size as a standard optical disk drive, with I/O aligned to allow easy integration into standard drive-sized chassis or even in multiple configuration within a 1U server, offering an innovative approach to NAS systems for small and medium sized businesses.

The Apple brand has the biggest impact on the world's consumers, while Microsoft and the United States nation brand are those considered most in need of a remake, a survey showed on Monday. The poll by online magazine brandchannel.com asked its readers to identify the brands with the greatest impact on their lives, and say how they affected readers' behaviour and their view of the world.

The nearly 2,000 professionals and students who voted named Apple overwhelming winner. The creator of the iPod and Mac computer triumphed in six categories including most inspiring brand and the one readers cannot live without. Microsoft, the world's largest software maker was also a winner, but it received the dubious honor of the brand most readers wanted to argue with, and the one they most wanted to revamp. Voted into second place in the category was brand USA.

Trippo popped its head above the software parapet a few days ago when it got added to Nokia’s Download! service for the N95 8GB. But it’s available to all and is in the AAS software shop. The big question is, can it live up to its claims? Ewan’s been reviewing Trippo and both he and I were gobsmacked at how good the service is - and also at how expensive it might work out.

Download! has been significantly recorganised by Nokia for some devices, with increased use of folders and many new games (N95 8GB screenshots shown below). It’s still a mile away from how comprehensive Apple’s iPhone AppStore is going to be though. Can Nokia use its headstart to improve Download! across the board in time? Comments welcome. Also, do please comment if you’ve spotted similarly interesting Download! additions on any device.

No it is not some April Fool jokes. VR-Zone has learned that there will be two high end parts from Nvidia to replace the current GeForce 9800 GX2 and 9800 GTX in Q3. These two parts are GeForce 9900 GTX and GeForce 9900 GT based on the new GT200 architecture. GeForce 9800 GX2 and GTX will have a short lifespan since they will be replaced in a couple of months time. Nvidia has positioned GeForce 9900 GTX to replace 9800 GX2 and this gave a clue that a single GT200 card will actually outperform a dual G92 card. Likewise for GeForce 9900 GT, outperforming and replacing 9800 GTX. CJ revealed to us that Nvidia will have a hard time fitting GT200 onto the PCB since the GPU is gonna be large and very power hungry so we can probably assume it is still 65nm based. The PCB for GT200 will be P651.

No it is not some April Fool jokes. VR-Zone has learned that there will be two high end parts from Nvidia to replace the current GeForce 9800 GX2 and 9800 GTX in Q3. These two parts are GeForce 9900 GTX and GeForce 9900 GT based on the new GT200 architecture. GeForce 9800 GX2 and GTX will have a short lifespan since they will be replaced in a couple of months time. Nvidia has positioned GeForce 9900 GTX to replace 9800 GX2 and this gave a clue that a single GT200 card will actually outperform a dual G92 card. Likewise for GeForce 9900 GT, outperforming and replacing 9800 GTX. CJ revealed to us that Nvidia will have a hard time fitting GT200 onto the PCB since the GPU is gonna be large and very power hungry so we can probably assume it is still 65nm based. The PCB for GT200 will be P651.

With a streamlined metal alloy casing, coiled metal cable, in-line mic and 11mm speakers, the Skullcandy iPhone Full Metal Jacket headset is fully loaded. The great news is that this headset also works with the Blackberry Curve, so more than just Apple iPhone lovers can use them! To top things off the iPhone FMJ comes equipped with a custom EVA carrying case and three sizes of ear gel sleeves. Read on to see how the iPhone FMJ does against the V-Moda Vibe Duo!